In partnership with SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWRA, SPWRB), the California School Boards Association, a non-profit organization representing nearly 1,000 school districts and county offices of education throughout California, has launched its newest district services program, Solar Schools, to support school districts in developing efficient solar projects at their schools.
Solar Schools helps schools save money on energy, hedge against rising utility rates and effectively utilize federal and state incentives to garner the greatest return on investment. With the California Solar Initiative (CSI), the State of California's solar rebate program, California's public sector, including schools, is forecasted to save $2.5 billion from solar installations over the thirty year life of the systems. Of the total savings for the public sector, K-12 schools and higher education institutions are expected to save approximately $1.5 billion.
"SunPower is dedicated to delivering reliable, high efficiency solar systems for school districts," said SunPower managing director Bill Kelly. "With well-established financing mechanisms, we have proven that schools can add solar now and reduce their operating expenses this year, when cost reduction is highly prized."
"At a time when our school board members need to make every dollar count, we are pleased to partner with SunPower in offering school districts throughout the state solar power solutions that yield immediate and ongoing savings," said Martin Gonzalez, deputy executive director of CSBA. "Our decision to collaborate with SunPower is based on the company's extensive work with school districts throughout California, as well as the feedback we have received from our members on the comprehensive services SunPower provides to districts."
Within the next year, SunPower plans to install solar at more than 90 K-12 schools and higher education facilities across California, including five schools in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. The solar power generated by the systems at San Ramon Valley School District is expected to offset an average of 80 percent of the electricity costs at each school, achieving an estimated savings of more than $2 million for the district in the first year.
"The district was motivated by the significant cost savings that SunPower's solar systems offer," said San Ramon Valley Unified School District Superintendent Steven W. Enoch. "We found SunPower to be extremely innovative in helping us to maximize our immediate cost savings. Slated for completion by this fall, our solar installations will supply substantial savings to our district's general fund, while preserving precious financial resources."
Prompted by the news of the Solar Schools launch, San Ramon Valley Unified School District is bringing renewable energy education into the classroom. SunPower is working with the district's engineering academy to prepare students for career opportunities in the growing clean technology sector. Plans are underway to launch similar curricula at school districts participating in Solar Schools.